Louisiana Words is Back in 2020 to Bring Us Together!

Laissez les bon temp rouler!

Welcome to Louisiana Words new family & welcome back our seasoned family!

Louisiana Words is a self-expression outlet for statewide artists for casual, hobby, or community. All Louisianans are accepted! Anyone who lives or has lived in Louisiana may submit (louisianawords@gmail.com). We accept poetry, fiction, short screenplays, short drama, photography, paintings, & musical performances.

*We do not accept political-motivated art, nor do we endorse politicians or support politics.*

On December 29th, 2012, Louis Toliver Jr. made the first post on Louisiana Words, called "The Louisiana Social Pledge." Two weeks prior, The Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting in Newton, Connecticut had occurred. It was a mass shooting leaving twenty children between 6 -7 years old and six adults dead. In short, "The Louisiana Social Pledge" was a plea for society to choose creativity over violence and to also to communicate to each other better. There has never been such an artistic expression to let out the angst and turmoil of the times with violence and the abuse of social media. Louis learned and understood: the more emotions we let out and don't hold in, the less likely we are to be violent.

From there, Louis began writing and recruiting other writers to express themselves. Louisiana Words contains 7 years of a variety of types of writing and writing styles. Louisiana Words contains 7 years of a variety of authentic feelings and emotions from happiness to sadness, from hope to despair, and from strength to vulnerability. All born from everyone's impact with Louisiana culture. Louisiana Words is a place of Louisiana truths. As of August 30th, 2020, over 100 writers and 1,200 poems and stories have been contributed with creator, Louis Toliver Jr. contributing over 300 them.

On December 29th, 2020, Louisiana Words will turn 8 years old! To celebrate this occasion, Louisiana Words will officially become a nonprofit organization and build our community's reputation in giving Louisiana natives and those inspired a platform for freedom of creative expression!

Please follow upcoming postings for more about Louisiana Words and what it offers weekly (when in season). Also, please watch for postings about our extension website, Mots De Louisiane (MotsdeLouisiane.com), which is also the official publication title for Louisiana Words most prominent writers. Last, there will be postings about Louisiana Words public shows both live and virtual, including a Top 10 city virtual tour.

We are always continuing to evolve and elevate our community!

Comments

Ash Wednesday (Brian Falcon - New Orleans, LA)

It’s forgettable- the number of times I was called a “fucking faggot” as a kid. As a former child of god, I wasn’t expected to know what those words meant. I was taught that repentance was vital to achieving everlasting life. My momma made me go to church every Sunday. I said my prayers as I was told. But I eventually learned that Catholicism was never my sanctuary. Christianity was never my safe-haven. God never stopped the cheap shots. He never once prevented the harassment or pure embarrassment that I felt from the words of my “kin in Christ.” Now, picture me- a helpless faggot, blinded by the incandescent lights of an old catholic church. I was home from college spending Spring Break in my former hellscape. So, naturally, my momma yet again made me go to church. This time, on a Wednesday. It was Ash Wednesday. When I was among the folks from home, I felt out of place. So much that I’d imagine camouflaging myself. Like saber-tooth in hiding. But the difference? I had a far more i

Louisiana Words Remembers Jorge Arturo

There’s nothing that hurts more than when we lose someone from our Louisiana Words family. But, the beauty of our writing movement is that the words of our loved ones live on with us. On June 20th, 2023, Louisiana Words Allstar, Jorge Arturo, moved on from this world leaving our hearts broken. He was a charismatic and talented human being. Jorge resided in New Orleans, LA and had been active on Louisiana Words for over a year. To honor Jorge’s life and work, we will be sharing his writing and live performances all Summer 2023. Please help keep his spirit alive by sharing his work. We know that Jorge’s words will connect with our readers and we hope to keep his spirit alive. Jorge’s first submission: “The Dog Show” debuted on February 6th, 2022 and is his most successful piece to date. In 2022, Jorge spent 10 weeks in the top with “The Dog Show,” “Weavers,” “They Say Love Kills, This Time It Really Did,” and “If Hell is Real, It Looks Like an Airport.” His last piece was “Fairy Tale

Nobody Said There'd Be a Day Like This (Sam Ray - New Orleans, LA)

I know how this should be: I've seen it, you see, In soap operas, Movies. Your eyes are closed, As if in sleep. Perfect peachy skin Atop a snow white pillow Under flawlessly matched sheets. The heart monitor, Quiet bleeps. The ventilator, A steady hiss. None of that is this. Your eyes Stuck open Seeing without sight Yellow sclera Dumb tears streaming. Tubes, taped to your face Delicate skin torn Where nurses Repositioned them To feed you To heal you You never liked being told What to do. Your whole torso spasms Spastic, Every 40 seconds. A machine Forces your lungs to act. Your hands are warm From hemodialysis But don't respond When we each grab one Give it a kiss. We spend the day Brushing your hair Telling stories Singing songs. Praying prayers. You're not there. Hospital staff Are more lovely If less pretty Than on TV. When the time comes They gently walk us From the room Close the curtain Remove the tubes Close the eyes. We resume our positions Your bo

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